Caring for Your Laser System’s Bearings

Bearings and bearing surfaces are of prime focus as a small amount of debris on one of these areas can cause erratic quality problems. Each revolution of the bearing has a slight bump in it and causes the laser head to move slightly. Cleaning the bearings and bearing surfaces is done with a soft cloth and isopropyl alcohol. Using light pressure, wipe the alcohol-dampened cloth over the bearings and surfaces to remove the residue and smoke buildup.

Some laser systems require lubrication of the bearing surfaces after cleaning. If your system requires lubrication, apply a thin bead of the recommended lubricant about 1″ long on the bearing surface. With the laser system power turned off, gently move the engraving head back and forth to work the lubricant into the rails. Not all systems require lubrication – check with your laser system manufacturer for proper instructions.